Storage device

ABSTRACT

A filing and storage enclosure for various height stacks of articles including longitudinally seamed resilient semirigid support strips in opposed grooves of vertical partitions and in which tabs on the front sides of vertically adjustable shelves project and rest on the support strips, a rear support pin inserted through a multi-apertured back wall into a cavity in the rear of the shelf and a transparent front panel vertically slideable in outer enclosure grooves.

United States Patent 1 1 McCowan et al.

[ 1 Dec.3,1974

[ 1 STORAGE DEVICE [76] Inventors: Thomas R. McCowan, 430 Circle Eight Ln., Prescott, Ariz 86301; Thomas E. Ritter, Box 10, Kirkland, Ariz. 86332 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No 399,968

[52] US. Cl 312/117, 108/107, 211/49 R, 211/133, 211/148, 312/108, 312/111,

[51] Int. Cl. A47f 3/00 [58] Field of Search 312/107, 108, 111, 117,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1910 Payne ..312/l17 2,721,632 10/1955 Surpierrc 312/257 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 780,543 8/1957 Great Britain 108/108 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam D. Stokes [57] ABSTRACT A filing and storage enclosure for various height stacks of articles including longitudinally seamed resil ient semirigid support strips in opposed grooves of vertical partitions and in which tabs on the front sides of vertically adjustable shelves project and rest on the support strips, a rear support pin inserted through a multi-apertured back wall into a cavity in the rear of the shelf and a transparent front panel vertically slideable in outer enclosure grooves.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEL 553 3 I974 SHEU 2 OF 4 PATENTEL, EEC 31974 SHEET 3 OF 4 STORAGE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to filing and storage of enclosures and more particularly to an enclosure for storing stacks of articles such as stacks of court reporter notes.

In present day legal record keeping, increasing use is made of stenograph machines by both court reporters and reporters of other legal, governmental and business hearings. Such stenograph machines employ sheets of paper on which machine shorthand notes are imprinted. The height of a stack of such sheets of paper depends on the length of the statement being reported and therefore two stacks of machine shorthand notes are seldom the same height.

It is necessary to store these stacks of machine shorthand notes indefinitely for possible future reference. Often, the stacks are stored in cardboard type storage boxes with columns of stack upon stack of notes packed in the box so as to form a solid block of paper. Obviously, locating and'removing any particular stack of notes is a very time consuming process. Moreover, once a stack of notes has been located and removed it is also quite time consuming to replace that stack in its designated location in order to maintain an ordered filing system.

A more structured filing cabinet with permanent partitions would enable time and labor savings. However, such a cabinet with permanent compartments formed by prefabricated fixed vertical and horizontal partitions would also result in much wasted space due to the various heights of the individual stacks of notes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a filing and storage enclosure having readily erectable shelves which-will hold various sized stacks of articles and maintain each of the stacks in an accessible position for facilitating removal and reinsertion.

Another object is to provide a filing and storage enclosure which will minimize the space required for storing various sized stacks of articles while also facilitating removal and reinsertion of individual stacks.

A further object of this invention is to provide a transportable storage system for a plurality of individual enclosures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views thereof.

These and other objects are attained by the provision of an enclosure utilizing a plurality of vertical partitions forming fixed vertical chambers in which horizontal shelves are vertically adjustable to a desired height and secured therein by the combination of rear support pins insertable through a multi-apertured rear wall into rear edge shelf cavities and digitally compressible support strips snapped into vertical grooves in the vertical partitions for supporting tabs projecting from sides of the horizontal shelves.

A cart is also provided for stacking and transporting aplurality of enclosures whose addition or removal is facilitated by a removable top member.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an enclosure of the present invention showing the orientation of various components thereof.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with horizontal shelves shown in phantom lines for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 witha horizontal shelf secured in place above a stack of articles.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the multi-apertured rear wall of the enclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a strip of compressible support material to be cut at desired lengths.

FIG. 6A is a top plan view illustrating a support strip being digitally compressed preparatory to insertion into a corresponding vertical slot in a side wall or vertical partition of the enclosure.

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of a previously compressed support strip inserted in a corresponding vertical slot in a side wall of the enclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modified support stnp.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal section taken along line 99 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in detail, the container generally indicated at 22 (FIG. 1) is preferably made as a lightweight integral structure by a plastic molding process and comprises a pluralityof spaced apart vertical partitions 24 fixed between the enclosure bottom wall 26 and top wall 28 The vertical partitions 2 4 are intermediate and parallel to the enclosure outer sidewalls 30 providing a plurality of vertical chamber columns which are accessible from the front only for article insertion and removal.

In the preferred embodiments five chambers are defined by four vertical partitions 24 intermediate the two enclosure outer sidewalls 30. Five vertical chambers are particularly desirable when the enclosure 22 is employed for filing and storing court reporter notes, as a filing system could then be based on the use of one chamber per day in a 5 day work week. However, it should be noted that any number of chambers may be defined depending only on the number of vertical partitions 24, if any, fixed intermediate the enclosure outer side walls 30.

The width of the chamber columns is defined by the spacing between the vertical partitions 24, which must be sufficient to facilitate insertion and removal of whatever articles are to be placed therein.

The enclosure 22 includes a rear wall 32 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which may be molded as an integral part of the enclosure. This rear wall 32 includes a plurality of apertures 34 extending completely therethrough with each aperture 34 including a countersunk portion 36 at the exterior surface of the rear wall 32. The apertures 34 are arranged in vertical columns corresponding to the chambers defined by the vertical partitions 24 and outer sidewalls 30. At least one vertical column of apertures 34 provides access from the rear into each vertical chamber column for insertion of a rear support pin 38 at any of a plurality of heights. In the preferred embodiment (FIG. 4) a plurality of vertically spaced apart and aligned apertures 34 extend in dual columns from near the enclosure bottom wall 26 upward to near the enclosure top wall 28. This dual column arrangement enables insertion of two rear support pins 38 at any selected height into each vertical chamber column.

Opposing vertical slots 40 are provided for each vertical chamber column in both sides and near the front of each vertical partition 24 and on the inner surface of each of the outer sidewalls 30. These vertical support slots 40 are substantially T-shaped cross section and extend upward from the inside surface of the bottom wall.26 to the inside surface of the top wall 28.

A groove 42 of substantially rectangular cross section is provided in a single vertical plane along the opposing inside surfaces of the outer sidewalls 30 and the bottom wall 26 approximate the extreme front of the enclosure 22. A preferably transparent plastic sheet door panel 44 is slideably retained in groove 42 for completing the otherwise open side of the enclosure after assembly thereof has been completed. When access to the vertical chamber columns is thereafter desired the panel 44 is merely slid upward in grooves 42 against the downward bias of gravity.

A shallow detent 45 may be provided in the front surface of the vertically slideable door panel 44 for facilitating purchase with a finger or thumb (FIG. 1). This detent 45 is preferably located in the lower portion of the panel.

Horizontal shelves 46 may be mounted in various height arrangements and ordinarily in multiplicity between the opposed vertical partitions 24 and outer sidewalls 30in any of the vertical chamber columns. Each shelf is preferably formed of thin rigid lightweight plastic material and has a width slightly less than the width of the vertical chamber column in which it is to be mounted. Substantially rectangular tabs 48 project outward from both sides of the shelf 46 near the front at a location corresponding to groove 40 in which it is slideably retained.

At least one horizontal cavity 50 is formed into the rear edge 52 of each shelf 46 at a location corresponding to the locationof the vertical column of apertures 34 accessing whichever vertical chamber column the shelf 46 is to be mounted. The horizontal cavity 50 must extend into the shelf 46 a sufficient distance to receive the entire portion rear support pin 38 extending through aperture 34 with the pin head 39 completely surrounded by the countersink 36. In the preferred embodiment each shelf 46 has a pair of horizontal cavities 50 corresponding to a dual column of pairs of apertures 34 through the rear wall 32.

A shelf 46 is inserted into a vertical chamber column by first twisting the shelf out of its normally horizontal position and then inserting it, rear edge 52 first. By inserting the shelf 46 in this slightly canted position (FIG. 1) clearance is provided for tabs 48 which would otherwise interfere with complete insertion of the shelf 46 into its vertical chamber column. When the shelf 46 has been completely inserted into the vertical chamber column, then the tab 48 on each side of the shelf will be in alignment with its corresponding vertical support slot 40. The shelf 46 is then twisted back to its normally horizontal position and thereby constrained within the slots 40 to substantially vertical movement only.

Once the shelf 46 has been properly positioned for slidable vertical movement with the tabs 48 constrained in the vertical support slots 40, the shelf height is selectively adjusted such that the rear edge cavities 50 are aligned with the aperture pair 34 closest to the desired shelf height (FIG. 3). A rear support pin 38 is then inserted through the selected rear wall aperture pair 34 and into the rear edge cavities 50 until the pin head 39 abuts the seat of the countersink 36 of the cavlties.

A very slight ridge (not shown) may be peripherally provided about the outer surface of the countersink 36 for retaining a pin head 39 once snapped past the ridge. If the enclosure 22 is employed for filing and storing individual stacks of paper sheets, such as court reporter notes, the aperture pair 34 selected would be the pair immediately above the stack which would still permit easy insertion and removal thereof. (FIG. 3).

After the shelf 46 has been partially mounted with the rear support pins 38, the front support strips 54 are then snapped into the vertical support slots 46 providing support means for tabs 48. (FIG. 3).

The plastic support strip 54 (FIGS. 5 & 7) is formed from a resilient semi-rigid plastic material having a substantially T-shaped cross section identical to the cross section of the vertical support slot 40 and yet thin enough to be cut with a pair of scissors (not shown). A longitudinal fold seam 56 is hollowed out of the center portion of the top of the T thereby bifurcating the support strip 54 and providing a pair of clasp members 58 with a connecting base 60 therebetween.

The longitudinal fold seam 56 may comprise a hollow area 57 of substantially rectangular cross section interconnecting the inward edges of the substantially truncated-V shaped inner walls 61 of the support strip 54. (FIG. 5). Alternately, the longitudinal fold seam 56 may comprise a substantially semi-circular hollow area 59 interconnecting the inward edges of the inner walls 61. (FIG. 7). One support strip 54 is cut to a desired length (i.e., at line 62 in FIG. 5) corresponding to the distance between the bottom wall 26 of the enclosure 22 and the lower surface of the shelf tab 48 which it is to support. For other than the lowest shelf the strip length will usually correspond to the vertical distance between the shelves that it connects. A second support strip 54 is cut to the same length as the first support strip (i.e., at 64 in FIG. 5).

Shallow grooves 63 may transverse the support strip 54 at predetermined locations (FIG. 7) serving a dual function. First, these grooves 63 allow the support strip 54 to be cut with more ease. Secondly, the grooves 63, spaced in correspondence to the vertical spacing between the apertures 34 in the rear wall 32, facilitate cutting the strip 54 at more accurate lengths.

Once cut to length, the support strips 54 are each digitally compressed about longitudinal fold seam 56 and inserted into and completely received by the slots 40 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. It is important that the support strips 54 are completely received by the slots 40 for maximum utilization of space for article storage.

The supprot strip 54 is released after it has been inserted into the support slot 40. Upon release, the support strip 54 will snap back to its normal shape due to its resiliency with its hollowed side facing inward in the slot 40. The lower surface of shelf tabs 48 will then rest on the top surface 66 of the support strips 54 (FIGS. 1

and 3). Once inserted, removal of the support strips 54 is not anticipated.

A compartment may be similarly assembled for as many stacks of articles as room allows within a given vertical chamber column.

When the enclosure 22 has been filled with the desired number of compartments assembled therein, the sheet door panel 44 is then dropped in place in front slot 42 completing the enclosure.

A total filing, storage, and transport system may be provided by stacking a plurality of the inventive storage devices or enclosures 22, described previously, in pairs of dual columns in a frame 70. (FIGS. 8 and 9). In the preferred embodiment, a pair of dual stacks of five enclosures 22 per stack are loaded into the frame 70 which forms a bank of storage devices approximating the overall dimensions of a five drawer legal size filing cabinet. The total weight of two dual columns of enclosures 22, each filled with court reporter notes would be approximately 350 pounds. Therefore, the frame 70 is preferably fabricated from either aluminum alloy or steel.

The frame 70 comprises a planar base 72 with corner angle posts 74 and middle front and rear T posts 76 extending substantially orthogonally and vertically upward therefrom. The corner angle posts 74 are spaced a sufficient distance from the middle T posts 76 and a vertically aligned stack such that any one enclosure 22 may be slid out of vertical alignment with its stack enough to allow the front panel 44 of that enclosure to be raised without interference from an enclosure resting thereabove. Thus ready access may be gained for insertion or removal of articles within any enclosure 22 regardlessof its location in the stack. A planar top member 77 is removably secured to the frame 70 by wing nuts 79 twisted onto appropriately located bolts 78 extending upward from either the corner posts 74 or the middle posts 76. The removability of the top member 77 permits loading and unloading of the enclosures 22.

The bank of enclosures is stationary (FIG. 8) in its storage mode with the flat bottom surface 86 resting squarely on the floor 84. A pair of brackets 82 pivotably mount a pair of wheels 80 to the rear side 83 of the rear corner angle posts 74. The brackets 82 are secured a sufficient height along the vertical posts 74 such that a slight clearance is provided between the wheels 80 and the floor 84 when the bank is resting in its stationary storage mode. The bank may be shifted into a transport mode by tilting it back beyond its center of gravity forcing the wheels 80 to rotatably engage the floor 84. A pair of handles 81 may also be secured to the rear side 83 of the rear corner angle posts 74 for assistance in tilting and moving the bank of enclosures.

Obviously, many modifications and variations are apparent in light of the above description of a preferred embodiment which is not intended to be interpreted as imposing limitations on the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A partitionable container for removably storing a plurality of articles in separate readily erectable compartments comprising a bottom wall, a rear wall, a top wall and opposite outer sidewalls including vertical slots formed in the opposing inner surfaces thereof, at

least one vertically adjustable shelf including tabs projecting outward from the shelf sides into said vertical slots, first shelf support means for supporting said at least one shelf at a selected height, and second shelf support means for insertion into said vertical slots beneath said tabs and cooperating with said first shelf support means for supporting said shelf at said selected height.

2. The partitionable container of claim 1 wherein said rear wall includes at least one column ofa plurality of vertically aligned apertures, wherein said at least one shelf further includes a cavity formed in its rear edge, and wherein said first shelf support means comprises at least one rear support pin insertable through a selected rear wall aperture into said shelf rear edge cavityv 3. The partitionable container of claim 1 wherein said second shelf support means comprises a resilient semi-rigid plastic support strip.

4. The partitionable container of claim 3 wherein said support strip includes a longitudinal fold seam facilitating digital compression thereabout.

5. The partitionable container of claim 1 wherein said opposing inner surfaces of said outer sidewalls include opposed grooves formed therein and said bottom wall includes a groove connecting said opposed grooves forming a single groove in said container and said container further comprising a front panel vertically slideable within said single groove.

6. An enclosure for containing a plurality of article stacks in individual readily erectable compartments vertically defined by horizontal shelves vertically adjustable within vertical chamber columns defined by fixed vertical partitions, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a vertically slideable front panel comprising:

a rear wall including dual columns of pairs of vertically aligned apertures accessing said vertical chamber columns;

rear support pins insertable through a selected pair of apertures into a pair of cavities in the rear edge of said shelves;

resilient semi-rigid support strips digitally compressible about a longitudinal fold seam formed therein;

slot means formed in said vertical partitions for completely receiving and retaining said digitally compressed resilient support strips; and

tab means projecting from the sides of said shelves into said slot means for support by said support strips after insertion into said slot means.

7. In a readily accessible storage system, the combination comprising a frame having a base and corner posts extending substantially orthogonally upward from said base; at least one vertically aligned stack of enclosures loaded on said base and retained within said frame by said posts; at least one of said enclosures having a vertically movable front panel; and at least two of said corner posts spaced from the vertically aligned stack of enclosures a distance sufficient for providing clearance for sliding said at least one enclosure out of vertical alignment with said stack and vertically moving 

1. A partitionable container for removably storing a plurality of articles in separate readily erectable compartments comprising a bottom wall, a rear wall, a top wall and opposite outer sidewalls including vertical slots formed in the opposing inner surfaces thereof, at least one vertically adjustable shelf including tabs projecting outward from the shelf sides into said vertical slots, first shelf support means for supporting said at least one shelf at a selected height, and second shelf support means for insertion into said vertical slots beneath said tabs and cooperating with said first shelf support means for supporting said shelf at said selected height.
 2. The partitionable container of claim 1 wherein said rear wall includes at least one column of a plurality of vertically aligned apertures, wherein said at least one shelf further includes a cavity formed in its rear edge, and wherein said first shelf support means comprises at least one rear support pin insertable through a selected rear wall aperture into said shelf rear edge cavity.
 3. The partitionable container of claim 1 wherein said second shelf support means comprises a resilient semi-rigid plastic support strip.
 4. The partitionable container of claim 3 wherein said support strip includes a longitudinal fold seam facilitating digital compression thereabout.
 5. The partitionable container of claim 1 wherein said opposing inner surfaces of said outer sidewalls include opposed grooves formed therein and said bottom wall includes a groove connecting said opposed grooves forming a single groove in said container and said container further comprising a front panel vertically slideable within said single groove.
 6. An enclosure for containing a plurality of article stacks in individual readily erectable compartments vertically defined by horizontal shelves vertically adjustable within vertical chamber columns defined by fixed vertical partitions, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a vertically slideable front panel comprising: a rear wall including dual columns of pairs of vertically aligned apertures accessing said vertical chamber columns; rear support pins insertable through a selected pair of apertures into a pair of cavities in the rear edge of said shelves; resilient semi-rigid support strips digitally compressible about a longitudinal fold seam formed therein; slot means formed in said vertical partitions for completely receiving and retaining said digitally compressed resilient support strips; and tab means projecting from the sides of said shelves into said slot Means for support by said support strips after insertion into said slot means.
 7. In a readily accessible storage system, the combination comprising a frame having a base and corner posts extending substantially orthogonally upward from said base; at least one vertically aligned stack of enclosures loaded on said base and retained within said frame by said posts; at least one of said enclosures having a vertically movable front panel; and at least two of said corner posts spaced from the vertically aligned stack of enclosures a distance sufficient for providing clearance for sliding said at least one enclosure out of vertical alignment with said stack and vertically moving said front panel of said at least one enclosure for providing access thereto. 